I've spent the vast majority of my life as an athlete. From Saturday morning rec softball games, to late night field hockey practices, to my first collegiate swim meet, I have always been part of a team. Something I've learned from this is that a strong team dynamic is not always easy to attain. But when the right people are placed together, the chemistry is unmatched. I have had the privilege to be on countless teams in my life, yet it was not until I started my college career at Towson that I truly felt I had the best people in my corner.

Behind the scenes, sports are just as mentally challenging as they are physically. Without a support system, it can feel nearly impossible at times to keep moving forward. Yet my teammates have shown me how to embrace the suck, and have fun while doing it.

From being around this team, I have gained a whole new sense of what it means to be competitive. It was always pretty typical to see a long, dreadful set being written on the board by a coach and wait for the expected groans to be let out, the dirty looks to be given. It wasn't until I got here that I would get a glimpse of the strenuous practice I had ahead of me, and watch as my teammates got excited to attack it and get ready to do the best they could.

The culture of this team and the atmosphere of this place is unrivaled.

I have already become a better person in and out of the water because of the people I am surrounded by. Even though we differ in personalities, backgrounds, and interests, we know each other better than anyone else. To be teammates with someone means that you are with them a crazy amount of time each day. You see each other at your best moments and are there for each other at the worst moments. We hold each other accountable for everything and are each other's biggest supporters.

When one of us achieves something great, or even just performs well at a meet, no one is happier than the rest of the team.

It is simply because we saw all of the taxing practices, grueling lifts, and mental challenges that were faced just to lead to that one achievement. No one will ever really understand fully what you are going through, except for your teammates.

I have benefited from the late night pizza runs, the post-meet dance parties, the 5:30 am walks to practice, Newell dinner Mondays, and the overall laughs I have shared here, more than anything else. My teammates are some of the greatest friends I'll have, and I am so thankful to be a part of such an incredible team. I am fortunate enough to have earned a spot competing alongside these talented people I get to call my best friends.